Some people would go through anything just to achieve their dream. Kasia Siwosz is proof. For the final year student on the university women’s tennis team, the road to Berkeley, University of California was met with poor advice and misinformation from her home country and two unsuccessful stops along the way that fell short of expectations.
Born in Poland, Siwosz began playing tennis at seven years old and developed the skills that helped her earn a top-50 ranking among the ITF Junior division (国际网球联会青少年赛).. Siwosz wanted to do more with her life than just play tennis, which led her to seek chances that would also allow her to obtain a top education. While most who grow up in the U.S. are naturally accustomed to the American tradition of collegiate (大学的) sports, such a custom is not as familiar in a country like Poland. “There’s no collegiate sports in Poland and no culture of sports and academic (学术的) study there. You can only do one, not both,” Siwosz said.
Her desire to have a quality education led her to America to follow her dream. While Siwosz was talented enough to begin her collegiate tennis career, she could only attend community college because she missed the deadline to apply to four-year schools, mainly due to misinformation provided in her home country of Poland.
When she had earned all her credits and was able to transfer (转学), Siwosz made the decision to attend Baylor in Texas. Her friends from Poland put in a good word for the university, saying that it was a good fit because there were many international players at Baylor. “I thought it would be a good idea, but it really wasn’t what I thought it would be,” Siwosz said. “I wasn’t happy at Baylor. The level of tennis was high, but the academic standards were no match and I just wanted more.”
After one year at Baylor, Siwosz’s luck finally began to change when she made the decision to transfer to Berkeley, which was due in large part to Lee, a former Berkeley student. Lee, who is a keen tennis player himself, met Siwosz four years ago in Texas. “I knew she was unhappy there,” he said. “I saw the opportunity for her to come here.” Siwosz visited Lee in Berkeley. “I ended up loving this place and this school,” Siwosz said. “I came here a lot over the summer, I gave it a shot and I ended up with a Berkeley education and a spot on one of the best college tennis teams in the country.”
1.What does “two unsuccessful stops” (Paragraph 1) refer to?
A. Poland and the U.S.
B. Baylor and Berkeley.
C. The community college and Baylor.
D. The ITF Junior division and the Berkeley tennis team.
2.Why did Siwosz want to leave her homeland for America?
A. Poland had no culture of sports.
B. Berkeley had always been her dream university.
C. She wanted to play tennis and have a good education.
D. She wanted to improve her tennis skills and get a higher ranking.
3. Why did she leave Baylor?
A. The level of tennis there was not high.
B. It was not suitable for international students.
C. She couldn’t get along with her friends there.
D. She was not satisfied with the education level there.
4. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. How Siwosz left Poland.
B. How Siwosz realized her dream.
C. How Siwosz became a top tennis player.
D. How Siwosz transferred from Baylor to Berkeley.
Steve, a twelve-year-old boy with alcoholic parents, was failing. Surprisingly, he could read, yet, 21 his reading skills, Steve had been failing since first grade. Steve was a big boy, yet, he went unnoticed... 22 Miss White.
Miss White was a smiling, beautiful, young lady. For the first time in his 23 life, Steve couldn’t take his eyes off his teacher; yet, 24 he failed. In the middle of the first term, the entire seventh grade was 25 for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests, and 26 to dream of other things, as the day passed slowly. One day, Miss White’s 27 voice broke into his daydreams. “Steve!” Startled (吓了一跳), he 28 to look at her. “Pay attention!” She began to 29 the test results. “You all did pretty well,” she told the class, “ 30 one boy, and it breaks my 31 to tell you this, but...” She hesitated, pinning Steve to his seat with a sharp 32 . “... The smartest boy in the seventh grade is failing my class!”
After that, Steve still 33 do his homework. “Just try it,” Miss White said one day. “Steve! Please! I care about you!” Wow! Suddenly, Steve got it! Someone cared about him? Someone, so beautiful and perfect, cared about him! Steve went home from school, 34 , that afternoon.
The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and waited for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all sparkle and smiles! Immediately, she gave a 35 on the weekend homework. Steve was the first to 36 his paper. With a look of 37 , Miss White took his paper. Steve walked back to his desk, his heart beating strongly within his chest.
Miss White’s face was in total 38 ! Suddenly, her face broke into a bright smile. The smartest boy in the seventh grade had just 39 his first test! From that moment 40 was the same for Steve.
1.A. in honor of B. in spite of C. in addition to D. in case of
2.A. to B. before C. until D. upon
3.A. rich B. young C. fresh D. simple
4.A. still B. even C. also D. forever
5.A. observed B. corrected C. selected D. tested
6.A. struggled B. agreed C. continued D. declared
7.A. cheerful B. impatient C. enthusiastic D. shy
8.A. decided B. managed C. turned D. forgot
9.A. go over B. run over C. turn over D. hand over
10.A. except for B. due to C. as for D. up to
11.A. will B. record C. heart D. back
12.A. pain B. stare C. sense D. contrast
13.A. wouldn’t B. couldn’t C. mustn’t D. shouldn’t
14.A. amused B. doubtful C. approved D. thoughtful
15.A. survey B. speech C. report D. quiz
16.A. give up B. hand in C. turn down D. come across
17.A. respect B. curiosity C. surprise D. fear
18.A. victory B. shock C. sadness D. confidence
19.A. escaped B. taken C. missed D. passed
20.A. nothing B. something C. anything D. everything
He is not native, if he were, we _______ this discussion over his identity.
A. would not be having B. are not having
C. had not had D. will not have
The snow was now two feet deep, making it difficult, if not impossible, _______ the car out.
A. getting B. get C. got D. to get
The story carries a strong message, _______ that will hopefully touch all who read it.
A. any B. one C. it D. each
Jobs are hard to get and, _______, more young people are continuing their education.
A. above all B. as a result C. after all D. on the contrary
